CVE-2023-53341

/// Technical description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

of/fdt: run soc memory setup when early_init_dt_scan_memory fails

If memory has been found early_init_dt_scan_memory now returns 1. If

it hasn't found any memory it will return 0, allowing other memory

setup mechanisms to carry on.

Previously early_init_dt_scan_memory always returned 0 without

distinguishing between any kind of memory setup being done or not. Any

code path after the early_init_dt_scan memory call in the ramips

plat_mem_setup code wouldn't be executed anymore. Making

early_init_dt_scan_memory the only way to initialize the memory.

Some boards, including my mt7621 based Cudy X6 board, depend on memory

initialization being done via the soc_info.mem_detect function

pointer. Those wouldn't be able to obtain memory and panic the kernel

during early bootup with the message "early_init_dt_alloc_memory_arch:

Failed to allocate 12416 bytes align=0x40".

/// Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

/// References